Ross continues to progress in Minors

CLEVELAND -- Robbie Ross Jr. is continuing his resurgence at Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers still want him to continue what he is doing, but he is catching people's attention after throwing a complete game on Saturday night.

Pitching against Memphis, Ross allowed two runs in nine innings on five hits, no walks and five strikeouts. He is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last four starts.

"Progress is the first word that comes to mind," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "He has done a very good job working with [pitching coach] Brad Holman and [manager] Steve Buechele and we've seen the results the last couple of outings."

Ross, after two years as a reliever, started the season in the Rangers' rotation, then was moved to the bullpen after going 1-4 with a 4.78 ERA in nine starts. He had a 9.00 ERA in nine relief appearances before being sent to the Minor Leagues on June 17. Ross has been starting at Round Rock because the Rangers want him to get as much work as possible, but his future role in the big leagues remains undecided.

"I think we see him as a versatile pitcher who has a chance to contribute on a 12-man staff in either role," Levine said. "We're going to keep him stretched out so he can maintain that versatility. What else we do with the club this winter will help define his role and his progress will help define his role."